Question 1: Define 'eyewitness testimony' in your own words.

Answer: Eyewitness testimony is the account given by someone who has seen or experienced a particular event, describing what they remember.

Question 2: Explain two factors that can affect the accuracy of an eyewitness's memory.

Answer: Factors include the stress level of the witness, which can either improve or impair memory, and the presence of leading questions that can influence what the witness recalls.

Question 3: Describe what is meant by 'misleading information' in the context of eyewitness testimony.

Answer: Misleading information is incorrect or suggestive details given to a witness that can alter their memory of the event.

Question 4: Imagine a person witnesses a car accident. Later, they are asked how fast the cars were going. How might the wording of this question influence their answer?

Answer: If the question uses words like 'smash' instead of 'hit,' it may lead the witness to estimate a higher speed due to the suggestive language.

Question 5: List two reasons why eyewitness testimony is sometimes unreliable.

Answer: Reasons include the effects of stress and anxiety during the event, and the possibility of memory contamination from other sources after the event.

Question 6: Describe a scenario where an eyewitness might confidently give an incorrect account of an event.

Answer: A person witnesses a theft but is under stress and distracted. Later, they confidently recall a suspect who was not actually involved due to suggestive questioning or false memories.

Question 7: Draw a simple flowchart showing the process of how memory is encoded, stored, and retrieved.

Answer: A correct sketch would include three boxes labeled 'Encoding,' 'Storage,' and 'Retrieval,' connected by arrows showing the flow from experiencing an event to recalling it.

Question 8: Explain the term 'reconstruction' in eyewitness testimony.

Answer: Reconstruction is the process by which a person rebuilds their memory of an event, often filling in gaps with assumptions or suggestions.

Question 9: Why is it important for police to be cautious when interviewing eyewitnesses?

Answer: Because leading questions or suggestive techniques can distort memories and lead to false testimony.

Question 10: Identify and explain one method used by psychologists to improve the accuracy of eyewitness testimony.

Answer: The cognitive interview, which encourages witnesses to recall details in a different order or from different perspectives to enhance memory accuracy.